Unfortunately, our country is the leader in the ranking of endangered species. According to the latest report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Spain is the European country in which the highest percentage of threatened species in the entire continent is concentrated.
The Iberian Peninsula constitutes a “ hot spot ” or hot spot of biodiversity, which means that its territory is home to a great wealth of species. In addition, many of them are endemic, that is, they are only found in this corner of the planet. Unfortunately, the conservation policies implemented so far seem insufficient to guarantee the continuity of this important natural heritage. The fragmentation and loss of habitat, the over-exploitation of aquifers, pollution and the introduction of invasive species are some of the main threats to our diversity. “Spain concentrates a large proportion of threatened species at a European level and has an important responsibility to protect these species in its territory. Species in Spain require greater action to improve their situation “, cites the report, entitled” The biodiversity of Spain in danger. A call to action ”.
According to the study, 38 percent of the species included in the European Red List prepared by the IUCN are present in Spain. Specifically, 19% of mammals, 24% of reptiles, 7% of amphibians, 37% of freshwater fish, 5% of butterflies, 8% of dragonflies, 6 % of beetles, 26% of terrestrial mollusks, 34% of freshwater mollusks and 26% of vascular plants in our country are threatened.
But not all is lost. The conservation of our species can be guaranteed if more efforts and resources are devoted to research and the development of effective management policies. Spain, a member of the European Union, has committed to curbing the loss of biodiversity before 2020 , which is why urgent action is necessary to meet this objective, recall the authors of the report.
